PQ Africa has completed the initial phase of the network infrastructure for the new home of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in Sandown. Aimed at delivering the networking needs of the JSE for the next five years, the Multiservice Cisco Ethernet network will form part of the overall network to provide a high performance, robust network infrastructure catering for all the JSE networking needs including Voice, Video and Data.
"The JSE needed a five year future-proof infrastructure with high availability and no down time," says Mr Richard Miller, Director IT, of the JSE. PQ Africa was awarded the contract based on their experience and ability to supply a complete solution that would fit the JSE`s requirements and time-scale. Engineers from both PQ Africa and the JSE handled the consulting, design and implementation of the network.
The solution from PQ Africa saw the migration from a Token Ring to an Ethernet network in selective areas with switched links to the desktop and redundant gigabit links onto the backbone. The new network is a fully redundant system; with automatic recovery capabilities that ensure guaranteed service to the users.
Simulation tests were done beforehand at PQ Africa Park in Midrand to ensure the smooth implementation of the network. "We tested the system at PQ Africa, thereby saving time and money for the client," adds Vaughan Christie, Network Sales Manager for PQ Africa. "PQ Africa has the facilities to do a complete test of the network in a `real` working environment. Given the critical time scale of the move and installation we could tell where to make adjustments before implementation at the JSE."
The network infrastructure is the first phase of an extensive technology upgrade at the JSE for which, PQ Africa has supplied Cisco AVVID products. Some of the products used in the implementation included Cisco Switches 4606`s and 6000`s.
The decision was taken after evaluation of proposals from the leading network providers. Commenting on awarding the contract to PQ Africa, Richard Miller said that PQ Africa`s experience and their long-standing relationship with the JSE made the decision an easy one. The network installation was successfully implemented on time and allowed the JSE to complete the move into their new offices in Exchange Square, Gwen Lane, Sandown at the end of September 2000.
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PQ Africa
PQ Africa was formed as a result of the merger of Persetel Holdings Limited and Q Data. JSE listed Comparex Holdings Limited has a 50% minus one share interest in PQ Africa. The black empowerment group NITAC (the National IT Acquisition Consortium), led by Real Africa Holdings Limited, holds a controlling interest of 50% plus one share in PQ Africa.
PQ Africa is the leading provider of competitive, innovative and flexible business solutions based on Information and Communications Technology ("ICT"). These comprehensive solutions include systems integration, consulting, package implementation, software development, outsourcing, hardware, software, peripherals, voice, video and data communication systems, customer relationship management solutions, and networking equipment and services. Internet solutions include the development and deployment of electronic commerce, electronic data interchange-based solutions and digital authentication.